The province announced the creation of new tourism regions with the February 2009 release of the Discovering Ontario: A Report on the Future of Tourism, Competitiveness Study. Discovering Ontario: A Report on the Future of Tourism, Competitiveness Study.
The report highlighted 20 recommendations including:
- Ontario will become one of the world’s preferred places to visit and will aim to double tourism receipts by 2020
- The creation of tourism regions across the province
- The regularization of Destination Marketing Fees
- Developing new markets
- Investment in tourism product
- Review of the Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership
- Improve infrastructure
- Leader in tourism education and customer service
One of the recommendations that has been advanced as a priority for the provincial government is the proposed new tourism regional structure. During the spring of 2009 over 20 different round table discussion forums were held throughout the province seeking input to the roles and functions of the proposed regional structure. The City of Brantford's Tourism Advisory Committee and staff have been involved and have monitored this issue over the past year.
As a result of the recommendations in the Competitiveness Study, on December 18, 2009, the Ministry of Tourism announced the formal creation of thirteen regions in Ontario.
The City of Brantford has been included in Region # 3 along with the City of Hamilton; the Region of Halton including the City of Burlington and the Town of Oakville; the County of Brant; Six Nations of the Grand River Territory, and the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nations.
For more information, visit its newly launched industry partner website www.region3tourism.ca.
Visit www.theheartofontario.com to explore everything region 3 has to offer from boating to bike trails, performing arts to pick your own orchards, this vast region, nestled right in the heart of Ontario's Golden Horseshoe, offers endless possibilities for a truly memorable family vacation.